JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1292

Lisbon’s preliminary probe into September’s Gloria funicular disaster says the steel haulage cable that snapped did not meet the city operator’s specifications and lacked sufficient strength. The break sent the top car racing down the steep central street, a crash that killed at least 16 people and injured 21. Investigators also flagged maintenance references to non‑existent or outdated standards, and noted the cable had been in service less than a year. With all city funiculars suspended, inspectors have yet to verify emergency brakes that should hold cars after a cable failure. A full analysis is expected next year.

Despite four takeaways, Houston couldn’t cash in, and Seattle ground out a 27-19 win to stay even with the Rams and 49ers atop the NFC West. The Seahawks jumped ahead 14-0, weathered Will Anderson’s strip-sack TD, and added Jason Myers’ 47-yarder plus Zach Charbonnet’s second score. Houston’s offense later stalled on downs at the Seattle 45 and at the 1-yard line before Woody Marks’ late TD cut it to eight, but George Holani’s return and a Tim Settle penalty drained the clock. Jaxon Smith-Njigba starred with eight catches for 123 yards and a touchdown. Seattle is 5-2; Houston 2-4.

European leaders, alarmed by planned Trump‑Putin truce talks and Donald Trump’s openness to freezing the war on current lines, will meet in Brussels to fortify Ukraine with a three‑pronged plan: more funding, more arms, and fresh sanctions. They aim to tap about €140 billion in frozen Russian assets for a ‘reparations loan’ and advance a 19th sanctions package. Zelenskyy says Europeans will ask Trump to supply long‑range Tomahawk missiles. Officials want to signal support for two to three years as a Budapest meeting looms and a deal to secure Slovakia’s backing on sanctions nears.

Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup is outselling its predecessor in the U.S. and China—up 14% in the first 10 days—sending Apple shares up nearly 4% to a record, Counterpoint says. China’s iPhone Air sold out within minutes, per the South China Morning Post. Despite an AWS outage that hit Reddit and Snapchat, Amazon rose about 1.6%. U.S. stocks closed higher, with all major indexes up over 1%, while Asia-Pacific markets advanced and South Korea’s Kospi marked a sixth straight record. Washington announced a minerals pact with Australia worth up to $8.5 billion. Japan’s Sanae Takaichi became prime minister.

South Korea has formally arrested about 50 of 64 citizens flown home from Cambodia amid investigations into online scam rings. Courts issued 49 arrest warrants, with decisions pending for 10 more; five returnees were released. Police say the suspects allegedly ran romance, investment, and voice-phishing schemes, apparently targeting South Koreans. Four returnees reported beatings at Cambodian scam centers. Seoul, under pressure after a student’s death in Cambodia, has imposed a partial travel ban, sent a delegation, and expects 12 more citizens home this week after fresh detentions and two rescues, as international estimates highlight widespread trafficking.

General Motors reports third-quarter results before Tuesday’s bell, with Wall Street expecting $2.31 adjusted EPS and $45.27 billion in revenue, down 22% and 7.2% from a year ago. The update follows a $1.6 billion special item from its EV pullback that won’t hit adjusted figures but will pressure net income. Analysts flag risks of a miss amid shifts in truck production, trim mix and warranty costs, plus tariffs and inflation. CFO Paul Jacobson expects slightly higher tariff impact in Q3 and $4–$5 billion in 2025. Shares of GM are up about 9% in 2025.

Former President Joe Biden has finished his current course of radiation therapy, a spokesperson told ABC News, while noting it’s unclear if more will be needed. A short video on Ashely Biden’s Instagram showed him ringing a bell to mark the milestone and thanking staff at Penn Medicine. Biden had been receiving radiation alongside hormone treatment, first reported Oct. 11, with therapy beginning weeks earlier, according to a source. In May, his office disclosed prostate cancer that had spread to his bones, and Biden said then his treatment involved a pill regimen.

Plans for a preparatory meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were put on hold, casting uncertainty over the anticipated Trump-Putin summit in Budapest. Sources told CNN the delay followed divergent expectations about ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin called their call constructive, while a US readout emphasized upcoming engagements and a durable resolution. A source said Moscow’s stance remains largely unchanged, making a meeting next week unlikely. Trump has urged Kyiv and Moscow to stop the war immediately, saying it should halt along the current battle line.

Detroit smothered Tampa Bay 24-9, a game less close than the score. The Lions outgained the Bucs 379-251 despite miscues, and both teams are 5-2. Jahmyr Gibbs ripped 136 rushing yards and two scores—including a 78-yarder—and added 82 receiving. Jared Goff went 20-of-29 for 241 yards with a touchdown and two turnovers; Amon‑Ra St. Brown caught six for 86 and a 27-yard TD. A depleted Detroit secondary still held the Bucs under 300 yards. Baker Mayfield went 28-of-50 for 228, a TD and a pick as Mike Evans exited with a concussion and right shoulder injury.

George Springer’s thunderous three-run shot in the seventh flipped Game 7, and the Toronto Blue Jays edged the Seattle Mariners 4-3 to claim their first pennant since 1993. Before a roaring sellout of 44,770, Toronto erased a 3-1 deficit, sending the World Series back to Canada for the first time in 32 years. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the ALCS MVP, vowed the job isn’t finished as the Blue Jays prepare to host the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in Friday’s Game 1. Seattle, still seeking its first pennant, was left heartbroken after leading late.